Wayne Yates, a former Memphis Tiger men’s basketball All-American and later head coach, died Aug. 16 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was 84.

After transferring from New Mexico State, Yates arrived at the University of Memphis, then Memphis State University, in 1959 and played his junior and senior seasons for the Tigers.

He was named an All-American as a senior after averaging 17.5 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, and he was drafted fifth overall in the 1961 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wayne Yates children: Who are his 4 kids?

Wayne Yates was married to Harriet Ardala “Dala” Harding Yates. Unfortunately, his wife passed on earlier. Wayne and Harriet had 4 children.

They are Dawayna Dare Yates Sanders Christman, Wayne Edward Yates, Jr., Kathrin Ellen Yates and Mary Elizabeth Yates.

In 1993, Yates was inducted into the University of Memphis M Club Hall of Fame.

Yates began his coaching career as an assistant coach under Tiger head coach Moe Iba in 1969.

He later served as an assistant coach under Gene Bartow for four seasons from 1970 to 1974.

Bartow, Yates, and the Tigers finished second in the NCAA in 1972-73 and went 83-32 overall in four seasons.

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